Tokyo: Open Top Sightseeing Bus With Audio Guide

Discover the vibrant sights of Tokyo from the comfort of an open-top sightseeing bus. This 70-minute journey lets you explore the city’s iconic landmarks, like Tokyo Tower and Chidorigafuchi, with the convenience of a GPS-enabled audio guide. At just $11.80 per person, it’s an engaging and budget-friendly way for first-time visitors to experience the city. With two scenic routes to choose from, you’ll be able to curate your own sightseeing adventure. But the real question is, which route will you take?

Key Points

• Open-top sightseeing bus tour with audio guide provides a scenic journey through Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, including Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Roppongi.
• Tour duration is 70 minutes, and it operates rain or shine, making it convenient for first-time visitors or those with limited time.
• Audio guide is available in 6 languages, enhancing the learning experience about the sights.
• Departure starts at Tokyo Station, and the meeting point is at the Tokyo VIP Lounge, a 5-minute walk from the station.
• Overall rating of 3.8 out of 5, with positive feedback on staff politeness and the tour experience, though some reviews mention disappointment with schedule changes.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview and Pricing

The Tokyo Sightseeing Bus offers an open-top experience that allows visitors to explore the city’s iconic landmarks. Priced from $11.80 per person, the 70-minute tour provides an audio guide in 6 languages.

Ideal for first-time visitors or those with limited time, the bus travels through key sites like Tokyo Tower, Ginza, and the Imperial Palace. Passengers can reserve their spot without upfront payment and enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

Operating rain or shine, the sightseeing bus showcases Tokyo’s must-see attractions in a convenient and flexible way.

Experience and Highlights

The Tokyo Sightseeing Bus offers a scenic journey through the city’s iconic landmarks, providing visitors with an immersive open-top experience. The GPS-enabled audio guide is available in six languages, allowing passengers to learn about the sights as they pass by. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, those with limited time, or anyone seeking an engaging open-top bus adventure.

Tour Features	Audio Guide	Ideal for
Scenic journey through Tokyo’s iconic landmarks	GPS-enabled system in 6 languages	First-time visitors, those with limited time, or anyone wanting an open-top bus experience

Tour Routes

Two distinct routes are offered for the Tokyo Sightseeing Bus – the Bay Course and the City Course.

The Bay Course takes riders on a scenic journey through Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, including the Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Odaiba Seaside Park. The route starts at Tokyo Station, passing by Marunouchi, Zojoji Temple, and the Fuji TV Building before reaching the waterfront.

The City Course, on the other hand, focuses on central Tokyo’s attractions like the Chidorigafuchi, Akasaka State Guest House, and Roppongi, eventually reaching the Ginza district.

Both routes provide a rundown of Tokyo’s diverse sights and landmarks.

Meeting Point and Accessibility

As the meeting point for the Tokyo Sightseeing Bus, the Tokyo VIP Lounge is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors, just a 5-minute walk from the Yaesu North Exit of Tokyo Station.

Guests should arrive 20-40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. The facilities at the lounge are available 40 minutes prior to departure.

Certain items are prohibited on the tour, including smoking, selfie sticks, food, and umbrellas.

The tour operates rain or shine, with cancellations only in extreme weather conditions such as typhoons.

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Transportation and Amenities

The open-top sightseeing bus provides a comfortable and convenient way for visitors to explore Tokyo’s iconic landmarks.

With a GPS-enabled audio guide available in multiple languages, riders can learn about the city’s history and attractions as they journey through the streets.

The bus operates rain or shine, ensuring a reliable and enjoyable experience regardless of the weather.

While smoking, selfie sticks, food, and umbrellas are prohibited, the tour offers amenities like restrooms and a check-in process that allows ample time before departure.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customers have generally provided positive feedback on the Tokyo sightseeing bus experience, with an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 based on 99 reviews.

The guide and transportation aspects received higher ratings, with 4.1 and 4.2 respectively. However, the value for money rating was slightly lower at 3.9.

Highlights of the reviews include:

• "Everything was excellent, staff polite." – Geuriane, Japan
• "Wonderful experience, just as hoped." – Brenda, United States
• "No contact, schedule change, disappointing." – Joy, New Zealand

Recommended Itinerary

The Tokyo sightseeing bus offers two main routes for visitors to explore the city’s iconic landmarks. The Bay Course takes passengers along the waterfront, showcasing sights like the Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Odaiba Seaside Park. The City Course, on the other hand, ventures inland, highlighting landmarks such as the Akasaka State Guest House, Meiji Jingu Gaien, and the bustling Roppongi district. Both routes provide an efficient and scenic way to see the best of Tokyo. Choose the one that best fits your interests and available time.

Route	Highlights
Bay Course	Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba Seaside Park
City Course	Akasaka State Guest House, Meiji Jingu Gaien, Roppongi
Duration	70 minutes

Additional Considerations

When planning your Tokyo sightseeing bus experience, it’s important to consider a few additional factors.

First, be mindful of the weather, as the tour operates rain or shine, with only rare cancellations in extreme conditions like typhoons.

Secondly, arrive 20-40 minutes before departure to ensure a smooth check-in process and access to the available facilities.

Lastly, keep in mind the list of prohibited items, which includes smoking, selfie sticks, food, and umbrellas, to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable ride for all passengers.

Things To Know

Can I Store My Luggage on the Bus During the Tour?

The tour does not offer luggage storage on the bus. Passengers are advised to travel light and leave any large bags or suitcases behind. The bus isn’t equipped to accommodate extra luggage during the sightseeing tour.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Children or Seniors?

Yes, the tour offers discounted tickets for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and up. Children under 3 can ride for free. Simply select the appropriate ticket type when booking to receive the reduced pricing.

Is It Possible to Hop-On and Hop-Off at Different Locations?

Yes, the tour offers hop-on, hop-off privileges at multiple stops along the routes. Passengers can get off at any designated location and rejoin the tour at their convenience, allowing them to explore sights at their own pace.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Bus?

No, you can’t bring your own food and drinks on the bus. The rules prohibit bringing food, drinks, and even umbrellas on board. You’ll need to enjoy the sights without any snacking or beverages during the 70-minute tour.

How Reliable Is the Audio Guide, and Can I Hear It Clearly?

The audio guide is GPS-enabled and available in 6 languages, so you can hear it clearly as the tour progresses. Past reviews indicate the audio is informative and easy to follow, making it a reliable companion during the sightseeing experience.

Sum Up

The Open Top Sightseeing Bus is a fantastic way to explore Tokyo’s iconic landmarks. With an engaging audio guide, convenient tour routes, and affordable pricing, it’s perfect for first-time visitors. The free cancellations and no upfront payment make it a hassle-free option to experience the vibrant sights of the city. Whether you choose the Bay Course or City Course, this sightseeing adventure is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories of Tokyo.

You can check availability for your dates here: